If I Had a Gryphon

Illustrated by Cale Atkinson
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Paperback
$8.99 US
On sale Sep 06, 2022 | 32 Pages | 9781774880913

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Sam just got a hamster for a pet. But the hamster is kind of boring ... he just eats and sleeps and gets his shavings wet. Inspired by her book of mythological creatures, Sam longs for a more exciting pet. But she soon realizes that taking care of these magical beasts might not be as wonderful as she thought. Sasquatches are messy, unicorns are shy, hippogriffs scare the dogs at the dogpark, and having a fire extinguisher handy at all times makes dragons seem like an awful lot of work. In the end, Sam realizes that her hamster is a pretty sweet and safe pet ... or is he?
If I Had a Gryphon is a raucous rhyming read-aloud about fantastical beasts in everyday situations--and the increasingly beleaguered heroine who has to deal with them.

  • WINNER | 2017
    Rainforest of Reading Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2017
    Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards
  • FINALIST | 2017
    Shining Willow Award
  • NOMINEE | 2017
    Chocolate Lily Award
  • SELECTION | 2016
    New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
  • NOMINEE | 2016
    Blue Spruce Award
© Connie Tsang
VIKKI VANSICKLE is the author of a number of acclaimed novels for children including The Lightning Circle, Words That Start With B; Summer Days, Starry Nights; the award-winning The Winnowing; and picture books How to Decorate a Christmas Tree, If I Had a Gryphon; Teddy Bear of the Year; and Anonymouse. Vikki started her career as an independent bookseller and worked in children's publishing for twelve years. In addition to writing, she curates and presents regular book segments for CTV Your Morning. Currently, she lives and writes in Toronto. View titles by Vikki VanSickle
© Cale Atkinson
CALE ATKINSON is an illustrator, writer and animator living lakeside in Kelowna, British Columbia, whose books include Sir Simon: Super Scarer, Where Oliver Fits, Monsters 101, Unicorns 101, and the Simon and Chester graphic novel series to name a few. Cale is assisted in his artistic endeavors by Charlie, a wise and noble floof. View titles by Cale Atkinson

About

Sam just got a hamster for a pet. But the hamster is kind of boring ... he just eats and sleeps and gets his shavings wet. Inspired by her book of mythological creatures, Sam longs for a more exciting pet. But she soon realizes that taking care of these magical beasts might not be as wonderful as she thought. Sasquatches are messy, unicorns are shy, hippogriffs scare the dogs at the dogpark, and having a fire extinguisher handy at all times makes dragons seem like an awful lot of work. In the end, Sam realizes that her hamster is a pretty sweet and safe pet ... or is he?
If I Had a Gryphon is a raucous rhyming read-aloud about fantastical beasts in everyday situations--and the increasingly beleaguered heroine who has to deal with them.

Awards

  • WINNER | 2017
    Rainforest of Reading Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2017
    Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards
  • FINALIST | 2017
    Shining Willow Award
  • NOMINEE | 2017
    Chocolate Lily Award
  • SELECTION | 2016
    New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
  • NOMINEE | 2016
    Blue Spruce Award

Author

© Connie Tsang
VIKKI VANSICKLE is the author of a number of acclaimed novels for children including The Lightning Circle, Words That Start With B; Summer Days, Starry Nights; the award-winning The Winnowing; and picture books How to Decorate a Christmas Tree, If I Had a Gryphon; Teddy Bear of the Year; and Anonymouse. Vikki started her career as an independent bookseller and worked in children's publishing for twelve years. In addition to writing, she curates and presents regular book segments for CTV Your Morning. Currently, she lives and writes in Toronto. View titles by Vikki VanSickle
© Cale Atkinson
CALE ATKINSON is an illustrator, writer and animator living lakeside in Kelowna, British Columbia, whose books include Sir Simon: Super Scarer, Where Oliver Fits, Monsters 101, Unicorns 101, and the Simon and Chester graphic novel series to name a few. Cale is assisted in his artistic endeavors by Charlie, a wise and noble floof. View titles by Cale Atkinson